Study Online English

From the blog

How to tell the time in English

how to tell the time in English

What time is it?

How to tell the time in English

Tick-tock it’s nearly 2017!

Let’s start by looking at the clock here on our right.

The clock shows for example, that it’s ten to two in the afternoon 13:50

The first half of the hour is always past and the second half is always to.

to and past in giving the time

 

Let’s use two o’clock (14:00) as an example.

First half of the clock

Five past two 14:05

Ten past two 14:10

A Quarter past two or you can say two fifteen  14:15

Twenty past two 14:20

Twenty- five past two 14:25

In English we always say that thirty minutes have Pasted.

Half past two or two thirty 14:30

Second half of the clock

After thirty minutes have pasted it changes to To because now we are looking towards the next hour:

Twenty- five minutes to three 14:35

Twenty to three 14:40

A Quarter to three or 14:45

Ten to three 14:50

Five to three 14:55

Three o’clock 15:00

What time is it?

When asked the time we should always say it is …….. or it’s three o’clock.

  • It’s ten past two. 14:10

We use AT+ Time when giving the time of a specific event.

  • The show starts at eight o’clock 20:00
  • Let’s meet outside at quarter to seven. 19:45
  • I’ll meet you at the restaurant at six thirty or half past six 18:30

When we write the time like in most languages we just use numbers:

  • Meet you at 19:30 there.
  • I get up at 08:30 every day.

See you in the next post!!!

 

 

 

Read More »

When to use Then and Than

A trick to know when to use Then and Thanthen or than

English has a lot of confusing words especially those words that look and sound the similar.

Than and Then are hard to know when to use even for native users!

The trick to know when to use which is easy! Than is for comparisons so if you are not comparing something: use then.

Let’s talk about then.than and then

Then is used when you want to talk about a sequence of events, giving instructions in a step-by-step order or when time is involved the word then is used.

  • Come over this afternoon; I’ll be ready then.
  • If my flight is cancelled then I won’t be able to go to the wedding!
  • When you reach the traffic light then turn left.
  • Wash the dishes then dry them.

Than is used to compare.

  • A lion is more aggressive than a house cat.
  • I prefer biscuits than cake.
  • The Amazon River is wider than the Nile.

Here is a video explaining it all!

If you would like me to discuss any other words in English you find confusing, let me know by contacting me at: www.info@studyonlineenglish.com

Read More »

Rings a bell.

rings a bell

The way English people speak.

 

As you have probably already noticed in English we use a lot of idioms and expressions. In this short video, I will explain what  rings a bell means.

 

Someone called Flor called me yesterday, her name rings a bell but I cant remember who she is?

Do you ever find it hard remembering people? I know I do!

Read More »

How to learn English.

Some of the best ways to learn English.

One of the most important things when learning a new language is to enjoy it. This can be easy to do, it´s all about how you learn and how you recognize the progress you´re making and how great you feel seeing how well you’re doing.

Best ways to learn EnglishFocus on creating full, real English sentences every time you learn a new word.

If you want to fell that wonderful sense of confidence and achievement (of success) every time you sit down to learn English, the number one thing you should do is impress yourself (feel proud of yourself) is by speaking full English sentences.

Children do not learn grammar first. They start learning words to communicate, then short series of words together (sentences) to communicate more and then it grows from there.

Whenever you learn English from now on, focus on forming full sentences.  If you have to, you can quickly look up grammar here and there to fill in the gaps, just so you understand how to make the sentences properly.

This is also great for remembering vocabulary, because you remember the words meaning when you use it in a sentence.

For example, when you focus on English for an hour, learn a few new words then immediately use them in full sentences. When you learn “to go” start to use “to go” right away, don’t wait.

  • I want to go to the cinema because I like movies.
  • When did you go to London?

Every time you sit down to learn English, try to have a little conversation with what you have just learnt. Repeat and repeat and repeat. Practice the new word inside 5 or 10 or 20 different sentences and see how good it feels.

At every level of English, make long sentences, because you can!!!!!

You will feel great because you are using the new word in real spoken English.

Do not feel like you have to practice lots before you begin talking in English. You can begin talking English NOW.

Speak out loud:

If you’re alone, speak out loud. Talk to yourself – it’s a great listening habit.

I hope you enjoyed this tip! If you have any questions or you would like to book a lesson, please email on info@studyonlineenglish.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read More »

Learn how to speak English like a native English person.

Cost an arm and a leg.

In this video I am going to explain what cost an arm and a leg means. In English we use a lot of idioms. Idioms are expressions that can´t be understood just by listening to them, they are expressions that you just have to learn to understand. They are ideal because sometimes the best way to express how you feel is by using expressions or idioms. I learnt various Spanish expressions when I started learning Spanish, I use them all the time now.

One of my favorites is: No te compliques la vida, which means don´t complicate your life. There is´nt such an expression in English, I love it.

Check out my Facebook page as well, its full of useful tips from me and other language schools that I think are helpful.

Follow the Facebook link below.

Read More »